Light therapy element incorporated mobile communication device

Abstract

A cellular phone is provided for enable a user of the phone to conduct phototherapy using the phone. The cellular phone includes a body member having a keypad positioned on a first side thereof and a cover member coupled to the body member and movable between a closed position and an open position. The cellular phone further includes a number of light elements coupled to a battery and positioned to deliver light to a skin region of a user of the cellular phone. The delivery of power to the light elements is controlled by a control unit which turns the light elements “on” or “off” based on a user input and the position of the cover member.

1 . A cellular phone comprising: 
 a body member having a keypad positioned on a first side portion thereof;    a cover member coupled to the body member, the cover member movable with respect to the body member between a closed position and an open position;    a plurality of light elements coupled to a battery, the light elements positioned to deliver light to a skin region of a user of the cellular phone; and    a control unit coupled between the light elements and the battery to control delivery of electrical power from the battery to the light elements.    
   
   
       2 . The cellular phone of claim, wherein the light elements comprise a set of LEDs, each LED including a cover having a curved top region, wherein the LEDs are positioned with respect to at least one of the body member and the cover member such that the curved top regions of the LEDs are capable of making contact with skin of the user.  
   
   
       3 . The cellular phone of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls delivery of electrical power to the light elements based on a user input and the position of the cover member.  
   
   
       4 . The cellular phone of  claim 1 , wherein the light elements comprise LEDs which are capable of emitting light with a wavelength in the range from 370 nanometers to 450 nanometers.  
   
   
       5 . The cellular phone of  claim 1 , wherein light illuminating from the light elements is used to provide light therapy to skin of the user.  
   
   
       6 . The cellular phone of  claim 1 , wherein the light elements comprise LEDs, at least a portion of the LEDS is a type of LED which includes multiple LED elements such that the LED is capable of emitting light of various wavelengths by adjusting emission intensity of each LED element.  
   
   
       7 . The cellular phone of  claim 6 , wherein the control unit is configured to enable the user to select color of light emitted from the light elements.  
   
   
       8 . The cellular phone of  claim 1 , wherein the light elements comprise: 
 a first set of LEDs disposed at least partially within the first side portion of the body member; and    a second set of LEDs disposed at least partially within a first side portion of the cover member, wherein the second set of LEDs is independently switchable with respect to the first set of LEDs.    
   
   
       9 . The cellular phone of  claim 1 , wherein the light elements comprise LEDs which are capable of emitting light with a wavelength in the range from 620 nanometers to 700 nanometers.  
   
   
       10 . The cellular phone of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the light elements is situated between keys of the keypad.  
   
   
       11 . The cellular phone of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to enable the user to select an amount of time the light elements are to remain turned on.  
   
   
       12 . The cellular phone of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to enable the user to select intensity of light emitted from the light elements.  
   
   
       13 . A method comprising: 
 delivering electrical power from a battery to a transmitter/receiver unit to establish a communication over a wireless network;    illuminating light elements using the battery to deliver electrical power to the light elements; and    positioning the light elements such that curved top regions of at least a portion of the light elements establish contact with a skin region of a user to treat the skin region using light emitted from the light elements.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein illumination light elements comprises: 
 emitting light with a wavelength in the range from 400 nanometers to 450 nanometers from a keypad region of the wireless communication device.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the light emitted by the light elements is used to treat acne skin condition.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the light elements are provided on a keypad region of a cellular phone.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the light elements are coupled to a cellular phone comprising a cover member movably coupled to a body member, the cover member movable with respect to the body member between a closed position and an open position.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 controlling delivery of electrical power from the battery to the light elements based on a user input and the position of the cover member.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 detecting that the cover member has moved from the open position to the closed position;    illuminating the light elements for a predetermined time after the cover member has moved to closed position; and    turning off the light elements after the predetermined time.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the light elements emit light capable of destroying at least some of microorganisms on a phone surface.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 determining an amount of time the user has selected for the light elements to remain turned on; and    automatically turning off the light elements after expiration of the user selected time.    
   
   
       22 . An external attachment device for a cellular phone comprising: 
 a casing;    a mechanical connector coupled to the casing to removably attach to the cellular phone;    a plurality of light elements coupled to the casing to emit light away from the casing;    an electrical connector to removably couple to receive power from a battery of a cellular phone; and    a control unit coupled between the electrical connector and the light elements to enable a user to control deliver of power from the battery to the light elements.    
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the light elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs) which emit light with a wavelength in the range from 400 nanometers to 450 nanometers.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the casing includes a plurality of apertures positioned on a front side portion thereof and the light elements are disposed at least partially within the apertures.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the electrical connector comprises at least one pin extending through the mechanical connector to couple to the battery of the cellular phone; and 
 wherein the mechanical connector is configured to position the casing when the mechanical connector is connected to the cellular phone such that when the phone is used to carry out a conversation, the light emitted from the light elements can illuminate a facial region of the user.